SECRETARY'S REPORT 133 



these were several different kinds of bats, African elephant shrews, 

 and North American shrews. His success he attributes largely to the 

 food formula * he developed, which is relished not only by these ani- 

 mals, but by many others. 



Army medical research workers interested in the raising of tree 

 shrews because of their possible value as laboratory animals have been 

 impressed by Mr. Walker's success with the other types of shrews and 

 have brought tree shrews to the Zoo. Given this food, the shrews 

 thrived on it and produced four litters of young. Indeed, the results 

 were so promising that the food has been canned in small quantities by 

 the National Canners Association, and two lots of it have been shipped 

 to Malay and Borneo by the Army medical workers. Also, a small 

 amount was recently taken to Mexico by Mr. Walker and turned over 

 to the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, which requested this material 

 for feeding bats they are studying in connection with research work 

 on rabies. 



Information supplied in response to the many requests received 

 by mail, telephone, and from visitors is based on research by this Zoo, 

 or has been assembled from various sources, and in many instances 

 serves to facilitate scientific investigations that are being carried on 

 by other Federal or State institutions. Occasionally animals are de- 

 posited with the Zoo by research institutions until they are needed for 

 experimental purposes. Here they are cared for and are available to 

 the depositors when desired. The facilities thus provided contribute 

 indirectly to the research work of other organizations. 



VETERINARIAN 



For the first time since 1942 the National Zoological Park has a 

 veterinarian — Dr. Theodore H. Eeed, appointed July 15, 1955. The 

 work of the veterinarian is threefold : to establish such a sound disease- 

 preventive program through nutrition, sanitation, parasite control, 



1 Ingredients : Yolk of 1 hard-boiled egg; approximately an equal amount of 

 rather dry cottage cheese; approximately an equal amount of ripe banana; 

 approximately an equal amount of mealworms ; 6 drops of Jeculin ; 6 drops of 

 wheat-germ oil ; 3 grains of Theragram. 



Mix with a mortar and pestle. If the wheat-germ oil is in 3-minim capsules, 

 put in two ; also add the Theragram, which is a yellowish paste. Arid a few drops 

 of water to soften the gelatin of the wheat-germ oil capsules and to dissolve the 

 Theragram. Then put the other ingredients in and grind all together with the 

 pestle until a paste is formed with the chitin of the worms scattered through it. 



The mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) are the same or similar to those that get 

 into cereals. Cultures of them can be maintained in bran or cornmeal with the 

 addition of banana peelings, slices of raw potato, and occasionally light sprin- 

 klings of water to moisten the bran or cornmeal very slightly but not enough 

 to cause it to form lumps or to mildew. 



